simplicity, bigblock 455, and AndyHass,
Well, you are all wrong, and right.
Knight has recommended 150 grains charges of 777 loose powder with up to 300 gr bullets in their .50 calibers, but not with as heavy of a bullet as the 350 gr FPB. The .52 caliber has recommended loads for up to 375gr bullets with up to 150 gr loose 777. So it may be an overload with that bullet in his rifle, but not all bullets in all rifles. I'm not saying that it would be a good load, just an approved load from Knight.
I don't know what the Encore 209x50 owners manual states as a maximum recommended load.
I also agree with Andy and FG, 777 powder and 777 pellets are not equivalents for each other. The 777 pellets are formed to be the equivalent to equal charges of Black powder. For 777 loose powder, charges need to be reduced 15% for FFg, and 20% for FFFg.
150 gr 777 pellets are equivalent to 127.5 grains 777 FFg, or 120 gr 777 FFFg.
Recommended Loads
Knight Rifles are designed to perform best between 90 and 150 grains of Black Powder
FFg, Pyrodex® RS, Select, T7, Loose Powder or Pellets. maximum recommended load
for specific models.
! WARNING Never use smokeless powder. It can cause your muzzleloader to explode.
When determining the best load for your Knight Rifle, follow these steps:
1. Determine which game you intend to hunt and what bullet weight you intend to use.
(see page 11)
! WARNING Knight Rifles does not recommend the use of non-saboted lead
projectiles. These bullets can easily be moved from the powder charge. This will
result in an obstructed barrel, and, upon firing, could cause an explosion. If you
choose or legally have to shoot non-saboted lead projectiles, always check that
your projectile is properly seated immediately before priming and firing.
2. Sight in your rifle. Start with 100 grains of Black Powder FFg, Pyrodex® RS, Select,
T7, Loose Powder or Pellets. If you don’t achieve the desired results, go up or down
in 10 grain increments and try sighting again.
(page 10)
Recommended Loads
Recommended Loads for Rifles
The following chart is intended to be used as a reference to assist you in determining what Knight bullet to use for what game.
It is for reference only. You should ultimately decide what works best for you. All bullets are assumed to be in Knight's High Pressure Sabots™.
GAME SIZE BULLET WEIGHT LOAD POWDER TYPE
Antelope, Whitetail, Mule Deer
.45 cal = 175, 195 Red Hots 120 - 150 Loose or Pelleted Powder
.50 cal = 250, 300 Red Hots 100 - 150 Loose or Pelleted Powder
.50 cal = 245, 285 Spitzer Boat Tails 100 - 150 Loose or Pelleted Powder
.52 cal = 275, 350, 375 Red Hots 130 - 150 Loose Powder ONLY
.50 cal = 310 Lead 90 - 120 Loose or Pelleted Powder
.50 cal = 260 Jacketed Hollow Point 90 - 120 Loose or Pelleted Powder
.50 cal = 250, 290 Polymer Tip 100-150 Loose or Pelleted Powder
Elk, Caribou, Moose
.50 cal = 250, 300 Red Hots 100 - 150 Loose or Pelleted Powder
.52 cal = 275, 350, 375 Red Hots 130 - 150 Loose Powder ONLY
.50 cal = 285 Spitzer Boat Tails 100 - 150 Loose or Pelleted Powder
.50 cal = 310 Lead 90 - 120 Loose or Pelleted Powder
.50 cal = 300 Jacketed Hollow Point 90 - 120 Loose or Pelleted Powder
.50 cal = 250, 290 Polymer Tip 100-150 Loose or Pelleted Powder
Big & Dangerous Game
.52 cal = 350, 375 Red Hots 130 - 150 Loose Powder ONLY
1)Knight Rifles are designed to perform best with Black Powder FFg, Pyrodex® RS, “Select” & Triple 7, loose or pellets.
2) Smaller bullet weights will provide flatter trajectory, but may not be as accurate as the heavier, longer bullets.
3) Heavier bullets will give better penetration and more energy transfer and are more suited to heavier powder charges.
* Chart was produced using input from our customer's hunts and from results obtained by Knight Personnel.
(Page 11)
Click on the first link to the owners manual, go to page 10 and 11. You will have to turn your head to the right for page 11 in the PDF.
http://images.ebsco.com/pob/knightrifles/catalog/8_07_complete_web.pdfhttp://www.knightrifles.com/instructionmanual/default